Current and Future Malaysian Managers Perceptions of Ethics and Social Responsibility

Abstract

This study examines the ethical orientations (ethical idealism, ethical relativism and Machiavellianism) of current and future managers toward their perceived importance of ethics and social responsibility (PRESOR) in business. It also examines the moderating effect of Machiavellianism on the relationship of the independent variables on current and future managers’ PRESOR. Data was collected from 193 respondents (151 undergraduates and 42 MBAs) from a local public university in Penang, Malaysia. Results from the hierarchical regression analysis showed that Idealism positively influences PRESOR but Relativism had no significant influence on PRESOR although the direction of the relationship was negative as anticipated. The independent sample t-test revealed a significant difference in the scores for PRESOR, Idealism and Stockholder view of business.

Keywords: Ethical Idealism, Ethical Relativism, Machiavellianism, Stakeholder vs. Stockholder View and Business Ethics and Social Responsibility.